Instructor Class Description

Approaches to Textural Research

Advanced investigation of the theory and practice of textual research methods. Identifies the different components of textual research and explores their interrelation. Prerequisite: BCULST 500 or permission of instructor. Offered: AWSpS.

Class description

BCULST 581 - Approaches to Textual Research 5 credits, Wednesday 5:45-10:05pm, WRITING SEX AND LOVE. In the 20th century and now twenty-first, theoretical and critical concepts of sex and love have often increased our sense of the division between these. Yet within Western philosophical, literary, and cultural production, more generally, they have often been inseparable, no more so than through such concepts of eros and amor. We will address the tendency throughout the twentieth century and now beyond within multiple theories and criticism to separate out love and sex as well as the reverse tendency in cultural production to ignore such distinctions. How a society organizes or structures its sexual relations, as evidenced in its institutions, its concepts, its art, and casual interactions, is key to understanding the society itself. One of the focuses of the course will be to consider the special claims that poets have made for the relationship between “being in love” and “writing poetry,” focusing on the theoretical reasons for this synergistic relationship as well as modifications of love writing by twentieth century poets and some prose writers. An important focus of the course will be to locate current musical lyrics that convey sexual love, asking whether this music stays the course or veers away from traditional love poetry.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

seminar discussion

Jeanne Heuving, PhD I teach classes in creative writing and poetics, literature and other arts, and cultural studies. In many of my courses, I emphasize poetics, or why we write how we write. In general, I place a strong emphasis on how something occurs. By understanding, for example, how an essay or poem is constructed or how in the twentieth century the concept of sexuality emerges at the same time as do many new specialized academic disciplines, we are better positioned to understand and to intervene in our existence.

Recommended preparation

A willingness and ability to inquire into theoretical and cultural texts. An interest in current music scene, especially in song lyrics, would be most useful, but is not required.

Class assignments and grading

Students will be asked to write position papers every other week or so, to make class presentations on the assigned reading as well as a musical piece of their choice, and to complete one final course project, either as an extended essay or through an alternative mode of presentation.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Jeanne D. Heuving
Date: 11/02/2011

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Modified:April 23, 2014